Colchester: Blur releases new documentary film 'To The End'

As one of the biggest bands in the world, Blur have been captivating audiences from the 1990s onwards.

Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree have now offered a more intimate look at the band, the relationship between them, and the nerve-wracking nature of planning a big comeback.

The film focuses on several areas – the making of the band’s 2023 record The Ballad of Darren, their friendship over the last three decades, band rehearsals and more.

Icons - a classic photo of Blur

It also shines a light on their run of warm-up gigs in May 2023, and the monumental Wembley Stadium shows that followed.

The camera crew join Damon as they make their way to his luxurious home in the English countryside.

As they discuss mortality, Damon said: “I’m 55 - I have to accept that time is not infinite.”

From watching the film, it seems that Damon, who is a powerhouse creative and the mastermind behind Gorillaz, is very eager to make the best possible record.

He said: "Doing a whole new album is the difference between us being a nostalgia thing and something that feels totally part of our lives again.”

Cinema - A film still of Alex James and Damon Albarn in Blur: To The End (Image: Altitude Film Distribution. All Rights Reserved)

No longer are the four members teenagers in a band, they all have their own projects, families and commitments - they're all very aware of this as well.

And Alex James admits in the film he had barely communicated with the band for the last ten years.

The first highlight of the film was when the band arrived in Colchester on May 19 last year.

Not only do you get to see a snippet from their Colchester Arts Centre performance, Damon and Graham also visited The Stanway School, and reminisce about the past.

Film - a still from Blur: To The End when Damon and Graham meet The Stanway School headteacher Jonathan Bland outside the school (Image: Blur: To The End)

It’s also fascinating to see the group preparing backstage at Wembley Stadium, before triumphantly performing two headline shows at the 90,000-capacity venue.

It’s the small moments between the large events which are so enjoyable in the film - from Damon crying during the first playback of The Ballad of Darren, to the ice baths before Wembley.

Even though there might be some strain between the members due to the pressures of putting a new project out, it’s clear throughout the film that the band and their fans means the world to them.